sudden range loss on clifford matrix 2.5

Recently, I have lost all range on my Clifford 2.5 matrix alarm. To the point standing with the remote inches away from the antenna, sometimes I can't get it to register. A new battery in the remote has been tried several times. And the remote says the battery is good too. Sometimes locking it (when locked) seems to "wake up" the system and then I can easily unlock it. Years ago I did alarm installs, and then progressed along to stand alone engine management systems. THe wiring here was reliably done, but it seems somewhere I have a weak link and not really sure where to look first. I am hoping for a wire issue somewhere, and not failed components. At this point failed components likely would mean a new alarm install. The car in question is a 1977 rabbit. The antenna was hidden, gently stuffed between the roof and headliner for years, and had "reasonable range." I knew the location was bad for range, but wanted the alarm hidden. When I started having issues lately, I relocated it to above the rearview on the windshield. That hasn't helped. Where should I begin looking??? The tounge does not make a good test light...

Check your ground first. If thats good you more than likely have a bad antenna

Cool, so it went from low-range intermittent, to a complete failure. RIGHT Next to the antenna, and nothing works. I have one of the Clifford dual way remotes. Hit the button and it does all its little indicators, then does its out of range confirm beep. From this I would "guess" the remote is still okay... Need to go into Autozone or something where they have the little "remote battery checkers" and see if that reads any transmit signals.        Spent some more time digging into it today. Grounds all seem to be good! Since the failure would seem to be the antenna, I decided to check the most likely culprit first. What got moved and fiddled around. The cord. It checks out fine. Continuity through all the wires. Plugged into the main module, but unplugged from the antenna I see: Green= 0.0 volts Black= Grounded Red= 4.96 volts Blue= 4.96 volts Both ends plugged in and checking at PCB on Antenna I see: Green= 4.88 volts Black= Ground Red= 4.88 volts Blue= 4.60 volts Can anyone tell me know how to arm and disarm the alarm without a working remote/antenna? I really need to cycle it, drivers side door lock is wonked. In the meantime my neibor found this goodie for me! It was sitting on a shelf in his garage still in the box with ALL the install bits. 1992 vintage! FUNNY STUFF! Took me all of ten minutes to install it, and 5 was finding a spot I didn't have to drill. Installed it without any cutting/splicing/soldering. I am amused! My neighbor says the black plastic c-clamp looking thing was supposed to be in the kit. Item #20 in the kit is called a "Plastic Battery Cable Connector" and my best guess is that is it. Not shown of course. Talk about ghetto though LOL! It has a pointy end that would just clamp into, and pierce the positive battery cable. And OMFG is this thing LOUDDDD!!!! And it even has a 9v battery backup... My alarm clock has one too, never works... Anyways, though you guys might find it amusing too! I really need to get the DEI one back up, so any ideas and further direction would greatly help. If I can prove it it the antenna or remote (or well module), I would be stoked. HOPING it is the antenna. Least expensive to replace and QUICKLY too. I just don't have any spares or extra bits laying about. Been years since I worked in an install shop. Dumb question, could I prove one or the other with a Bitwriter???The tounge does not make a good test light...